Life Is Short

**I wrote this blog almost a week ago, but didn't feel I was ready to post it. After yesterday's horrible tragedy, I feel now is the right time. My heart and prayers go out to all those children and their families affected by the Elementary School shooting in CT. Such an extremely sad and heart breaking situation. **


As I mentioned in my last post, I have been really thinking hard about what I should post about next. I have a few great ideas for future posts, but I just haven't had the feeling that they should be discussed at this time. What should I talk about? What needs to be said? What is burdening my heart? I finally figured it out. Actually, I knew it all along, but I didn't feel it "flowed" with the rest of my blog. Well, I guess God believes otherwise, because He has truly burdened my heart for this topic.

Life is short.

I'm not really the emotional type. It's almost been an ongoing joke with my family and friends, due to the lack of my emotions. They joke that I have a hard heart or that my tear ducts are broken. Truth is, I may become overwhelmed by something, but I just don't feel the sensation to cry over it. I cry more when I'm angry or when someone passes away, but not when I hear something sad. But lately, every time I've heard a sad story, or that yet another person is sick with a terminal illness, or that someone lost a spouse, child or loved one, I have felt completely overwhelmed, almost to the point of tears. (No, I'm not pregnant.) I'm not sure if God is just softening my heart or that maybe He's opening my eyes more, or maybe it's age. Not that I'm at all old, but age does make you realize a lot more, you're less carefree. What I guess I'm getting at, is that I realize life is so incredibly short. We all take so much for granted. We especially seem to take for granted the time we have with those in our lives. (I guess this is how this topic "flows", with the rest of my blog.)

When this realization started sinking in, it really hit home. At least, for me. I started realizing how much quality time I don't spend with my spouse, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, in-laws, grandparents and so on. There are so many instances, in life, that could happen in a blink of an eye to change whether or not those loved ones are with you anymore. Life is short. I'm not saying live life in fear, for that is no way to live. I'm saying be mindful of the time you do have here. Spend it with those you love most. Enjoy your time with them. Laugh as much as you can. Love with all of your heart. Don't hold grudges. Forgive.

Often times, I feel that we think we have all the time in this world. But, we don't. No one is guaranteed the next second, much less the next 10 years. I'm mostly speaking to myself when I say this, but don't let life get in the way. Tell those you love, that you love them. Don't fret over the little things in life. Don't argue about everything that annoys you.  Always kiss your spouse, even when you are angry. Always hug them and let them know how much they mean to you. It may be the last time you have that chance.

I know this all may sound so sad and somber, especially when there is so much in life that's good and exciting. That's kind of my point though. Don't let your worries, work and wants get in the way, allowing you to take for granted all the great things that are already in front of you. Be mindful of what God has blessed you with, and more importantly, who God has blessed you with.

Aside from God, there is nothing I love more than family. The relationships I have with them, the memories we've made and the life (good and bad) that we have gone through together. Yes, I have been hurt many times by family, as we all have. But I'm starting to let that go, with God's help. I'm starting to realize the importance of family and friends and I'm going to challenge myself to really focus on cherishing all the good times we share. We need to let go of what/who may have hurt us, and forgive. Life is short.

If each of us were to truly live each day as our last, as cliche as it may sound, we would have completely transformed relationships. Our marriages would look different, our family dynamics would look different and the relationships with our friends would look different. All these differences would be positive and encouring to others.

I am going to hold myself accountable for the way I view and treat the relationships I have. I will not only love with all I have, but I will enjoy every minute and I will forgive. I hope you will too. Life is short.